The annual meeting of ministers of foreign affairs of the EU's Eastern
Partnership project planned for next Tuesday has been cancelled,
spokesman of Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Trend.
The ministry did not explain the reason for the cancellation.
At the meeting of Eastern Partnership in Brussels ministers were to
discuss the realization of future programs to support reforms and
strengthen ties between the EU and its partners.
The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy Catherine Ashton was to participate in the meeting.
The Eastern Partnership project is aimed at the political and economic
rapprochement of the EU and six post-Soviet countries, Azerbaijan,
Armenia, Georgia, Moldavia, Ukraine and Belarus. The program does not
include opportunities for membership in the EU. However, it involves a
simplified visa regime, energy cooperation and free trade zones.
There will be minor projects on student exchange, environmental
protection, energy supplies.
The first round of talks on associative agreement of the EU and three
South Caucasus countries, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, was held in
mid July. The agreement is based on joint obligations on developing
common values and a wide range of spheres, such as political dialogue,
justice, freedom and security, trade and cooperation.
The foundation summit of Eastern Partnership was held in Prague in May
last year. The second summit is planned for May next year.
